. >>> in campaign 2012, a new poll is out and it shows mitt romney is ahead in the race for president following last week's debate. according to the research center, 49% of likely voters favor romney while only 45% like president obama. just last month romney trailed obama by nine points. now he's pulled ahead. governor romney told cadets at the virginia military institute he'll strengthen america's defense as commander in chief. he says president obama has failed to lead on the world stage, especially in the middle east. >> it's clear that the risk of conflict in the region is higher now than when the president took office. >> governor romney said he would work to stabilize the new governments in libya and egypt and help armed syrian rebels trying to overthrow the assad regime. voters favor president obama when it comes to foreign policy. >> we'll sustain the strongest military the world has ever known. >> neither of the presidential candidates nor their running mates served in the military. this is the first election where that's happened in 80 years. >>> 6:36 now. republican george